We Live

A day after Hank basically declared the season over the Yankees got a big win. For a few innings it looked like they would gain a game on Boston. However, Boston came back against Texas and they merely hold their ground at 5 games back. Today is another big game.

Mussina pitched fairly well. Not his usual brilliance but 7 innings of 3 run ball is fine for me. Marte had another dissapointing performance. He`s been a dissapointment. Rivera also blew his first save of the year. He`s been bad lately.A-Rod picked up the team with a game-winning homer. Imagine that, a clutch hit.

Updates on the rotation

Turns out I, like most of the media, jumped to conclusions about Hank`s statements. He clarified himself and he says he`s not forcing Joba into the rotation immediately. Re-reading the original quote, that should have been fairly obvious.

However, Darell Rasner had another great game in AAA yesterday. He`s pitched very well in the minors this year in particular and really his entire career. He wasn't really that awful in the majors either. Maybe we should give him a start if Mussina/Hughes/Kennedy struggle again?

Hank, Joba, and Pettite

Score:

Yankees- 7
Orioles- 1

Andy Pettitte pitched a great game for the Yankees to help avoid the sweep. he was perfect until he gave up a hit in the 5th inning. Ultimately, he went 7 innings, gave up no runs, struck out 5, and walked none. In the 8th Joba came in and struggled. He gave up two hits before their was a rain delay. After the delay Bruney came in and got out of the inning giving up only one run (giving Joba an infinite ERA for the game and destroying my fantasy team). Rivera then ended it in the 9th. The offense also played well. Jeter especially had a great day with 3 RBI's. Damon also drove in two runs and Matsui drove in one. However, A-Rod came out of the game after getting a hit. He has a strained quad and luckily shouldn't miss much time.

Hank Steinbrenner also made an interesting statement today. He basically stated he wanted Joba in the rotation and he wanted it now. He was also unhappy with Joba's being in the bullpen in the first place and the setup of the rotation in general. I guess this is good news in that Joba will probably be going to the rotation soon. I think the best way to do it is to have him pitch every 5 days and slowly increase his workload. For example, have him go three innings on the day that Mussina pitches, then four innings his next turn, then five, and then he can join the rotation replacing whoever is doing worst at the time. However, its also bad news for those who want Cashman to stay. If he`s publicly saying he`s unhappy with Cashman's move`s then why should he stay?

Beauty

I usually try to avoid this stuff but this quote from Hank is to perfect to pass up.

“Red Sox Nation? What a bunch of [expletive] that is. That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans. Go anywhere in America and you won’t see Red Sox hats and jackets, you’ll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We’re going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order.”

God Bless you Hank

No Santana, No Haren

Last night Hank said the Yankees were out on Haren and Santana. If Beane really wasn't going to lower his asking price then okay. Bedard probably won't be traded in division so I guess they`ll start the season with Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy which isn't necesarily a terrible thing.